Every human being experiences suffering at some point in life. Suffering is one of the ultimate truths that connect us to all humanity. But suffering is also unique to each of us in that we all experience suffering in our own distinct ways. Thus, in this talk, MOI teacher Anne Savery asks us an important question: “What are you suffering with right now? What parts of life are causing you suffering?” The point of this question is not to know suffering itself but to recognize how we relate to suffering. Anne states that when we notice suffering, we often recoil, resist, tense up, and want to run away from it. It takes courage and patience to show up and be present with suffering. In mindfulness practice, suffering is something we can acknowledge, work with, and release into freedom. Or it can be something we continually carry with us, creating more suffering in the long run.

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